There’s an old adage in journalism that says something like, “Never talk about the weather–the people who weren’t there don’t care and those that were there know all about it.”

But, sometimes, there are exceptions.

Veterans attending this year’s Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Upperville, Va., said this year, the 153rd renewal, was blessed with some of the best weather anyone can remember. After suffering through some serious rain in the past few years–especially during the 150th anniversary edition in 2003–riders, trainers and spectators who coped with those waterlogged years were more than ready to break out the sunscreen.

Three years ago, the torrential downpours resulted in some hunter divisions showing in the all-weather jumper schooling ring, and the mud was so deep that tractors were employed to tow trucks and trailers into (and later out of) the show grounds. At the show’s end, a mischievous person, with quite a sense of humor, had slightly altered the Upperville sign on Rt. 50 to read “Mudderville.” It was an understatement.

Unfortunately, an illness in my family prevented me from covering or competing in this year’s show (the first time since 1990). But during the show I talked with my trainers and friends and heard them raving about the moderate temperatures, bright blue skies and puffy white clouds during the seven days of competition. (Maybe they were rubbing it in just a little!)

They also reported that they’d never seen so many spectators at the show. Perhaps many were lured out of their offices and homes by virtue of the unusual circumstances of 75-degree days during a horse show that usually only features the descriptive terms “oppressively hot and humid.”

“On Saturday, it’s always taken you 20 minutes to get from my barn, near Ring 2, to the main hunter ring, but this year it was like that from Thursday on,” said Denice Perry, one of my trainers. “Everybody here loves the horses, and when you have the ideal weather, it’s hard to not come out to watch.”

This year our two newest staff members, Josh Walker and Katie Grove, reported on the show (see Horse Show, Young Entry and Sporthorse Breeding sections). Josh laughed when I asked him if people mentioned the weather in his interviews. He said nearly everyone he spoke to said it was the most perfect Upperville they’d ever experienced. Go figure.

My only glimpse of the horse show was actually driving home from South Carolina through the scores of cars leaving the show grounds on Rt. 50 after the grand prix. Following the class, a friend called to report that Katie Prudent had won the grand prix in a thrilling jump-off with the legendary Joe Fargis, speedster Aaron Vale and gritty Anne Kursinski all gunning for the victory.

I’m sorry I missed seeing Katie claim her hometown grand prix, one of the few classes she had yet to win in her illustrious career. And now that Katie is based for part of each year in France, watching her contest a grand prix in Virginia is a rare treat. She’s such a stylist and always, always goes for the victory.

So, yes, I guess I missed one of the best Upperville Horse Shows in recent memory. But thanks to my friends (and the reports in this week’s magazine), I felt like I was almost there. The only problem I face for next year is convincing my friends that I should be allowed back�it really wasn’t my absence that caused all of the stars to align and the weather gods to smile down upon us. Or was it?

Tricia Booker